Objects with Narratives Showcases Found-Style Collectible Design at PAD London
The What Remains exhibition explores how material manipulation creates timeless, artifact-like furniture pieces.
1Curating Material Narratives
Brussels-based gallery Objects with Narratives presents What Remains? at PAD London, an exhibition focused on texture-heavy, collectible design. The show features works that appear found rather than fabricated, challenging traditional perceptions of materiality. By gathering pieces with amorphous shapes and patinated surfaces, the gallery questions what allows an object to transcend its specific creation moment.
2Ben Storms' Onyx Innovation
Designer Ben Storms introduces Ex Hale, a coffee table crafted from veiny red Mexican onyx. Storms utilized a complex hydroforming technique on metal sheets, followed by 3D scanning and CNC milling to replicate the cushion-like form in stone. This process creates a visual paradox where hard, heavy material appears soft and delicate.
3Cocksedge's Structural Tension
British designer Paul Cocksedge displays Critical Mass, a standing shelf made from Corten steel. The piece consists of three metal components supporting shelves, echoing his previous installation in Trafalgar Square. The gallery describes the series as holding a distinct energy, suggesting a state balanced precariously on the edge of collapse or sudden explosion.
4Industrial Material Reinterpretation
Belgian designer Sofie Middernacht contributes a steel credenza, bench, and stools finished in crimson resin. Her practice involves repurposing discarded industrial materials to form furniture that mimics the aesthetic of archaeological artifacts. This approach emphasizes the transformation of waste into high-end collectible items through careful surface treatment and deliberate structural design choices.
5Volcanic and Textile Elements
The exhibition incorporates diverse media, including glazed vessels by Venezuelan artist Jojo Corväiá made from volcanic clay. Additionally, KRJST Studio presents lamps featuring shaggy mohair and wool, while Karl Monies showcases lighting constructed from patchwork copper slabs. These varied materials reinforce the show's central theme regarding the intersection of craft and timelessness.
6Gallery Origins and Growth
Founded by Nik and Robbe Vandewyngaerde alongside Oskar Eryatmaz, Objects with Narratives established its first permanent gallery in 2023. Located within a historic 1920s fur atelier in Brussels, the platform focuses on narrative-driven design. This PAD London presentation marks their second appearance at the prestigious fair, highlighting their rapid growth in the international design scene.
7Exhibition Context and Timing
The What Remains? exhibition is currently open to the public until 18 October. PAD London, held annually in Mayfair's Berkeley Square, serves as the backdrop for these experimental works. The fair continues to attract global collectors interested in the evolving boundary between contemporary industrial production and the raw, tactile qualities of artisanal craftsmanship.
8Defining Design Longevity
The exhibition ultimately asks whether an object's longevity stems from its material composition, the craft involved, or a lack of temporal belonging. By showcasing pieces that defy standard fabrication aesthetics, the gallery encourages a deeper look at how design can outlive its era. This inquiry remains central to the gallery's ongoing curatorial mission.